![]() |
100-year-old Os fan Leslie Richmond meets Moses Odubajo |
Sitting in the chair of his care home in Ilford, Leslie could only sigh as he pondered another all too familiar chastening Orient experience.
It was in 1929 that he first flirted with Orient. On that fateful day, he arrived at Millfields Road to watch an FA Cup replay against Aston Villa with the two teams having drawn 0-0 in the original tie.
"That goalless draw was an excellent result," he said. "We brought them back to Brisbane Road and hoped for a good performance.... we lost 8-0."
Some 85 years might have passed since that day but not much has changed.
While such thrashings may be something of the past, the ability of Leyton Orient to wrestle failure from the jaws of success has long and often spectacularly been maintained.
In a phone call just days after the play-off final, Leslie pulled no punches while speaking about the latest heartache. "How they heck did they manage that," he asked incredulously. "How? How?"
I had no answer, nor did he. I was still struggling to get Chris Dagnall's penalty kick out of my head.
And yet it was the final part of the conversation which stuck with me. I'm not sure what I said to elicit such a response but I'm pretty sure I resigned myself to the fact that the dream was over and that what would transpire would be the end of the adventure.
![]() |
"This is not the end... It is merely the beginning" |
"The end you say? No, this is not the end," he said in a near whisper. "It is merely the beginning."
I was the Frodo to his Gandalf, the Harry Potter to his Dumbledore. Whatever he said, it made me feel young, naive and perhaps slightly silly.
Maybe Leslie had some inside knowledge or had been scrolling through Twitter, but he could not have been more correct if he had tried.
As I put the phone down, rumours of an impending takeover began to engulf Brisbane Road and the mention of a word so rarely heard in the local are was uttered – money.
And then it happened – gone was Barry Hearn, a man whose face had been synonymous with the club for as long as I could remember and in came a man which few had heard of and riches we'd never dared to dream of.
![]() |
Francesco Becchetti |
But Hearn and those around him apart, few have any idea as to the intentions of Mr Becchetti.
The club has been quiet on the owner's plans since the press conference while at the time of writing, no sponsorship deals have been struck for the stadium naming rights nor the team's kit.
A new board has yet to be appointed and the new chief executive, replacing Matt Porter, who did a wonderful job in being the link between the club and its fans, started work only last week.
While Becchetti's future plans may not be clear, what is certain is that he retains a clear admiration for Slade as do those who have arrived in E10 since the Italian purchased the club.
But this is football and what counts are results. Should Slade make a slow start and Orient fail to be in the play off places by Christmas, then I would fear for him.
Last season it was Orient – the club which rose from the depths without paying as much as a single penny for a single player and somehow managing to muscle its way past its rivals only to fall at the final hurdle.
Now it has all changed. There is money. The wallet which appeared to have been lost has been found and while no transfer fees have been paid, wages have risen significantly.
With bigger wages comes bigger pressure and not just a financial one at that. There is now expectation that the likes of Henderson, Simpson and Lowry justify their earnings after signing deals with the club.
![]() |
Simpson: pressure |
For manager Russell Slade this provides a a problem which he could scarcely ever have thought possible.
He will start the season with the strongest Orient squad the club has boasted in years.
Quality throughout, at least two good players in each position and without a single loanee in sight, this is a luxury Slade would never have dared to dream of. There can be no excuses.
Bristol City and Sheffield United apart, Orient possesses one of the most talented and exciting squads in League One and can no longer hide behind the facade of being the division's pauper.
But money or not, this is still Orient. Where there is hope there is also fear, where there are dreams there are also nightmares. The pain of May still hurts, the image of Romain Vincelot beating the Wembley turf in frustration still lingers.
![]() |
Romain Punch-The-Ground-A-Lot |
There is no reason why this year cannot be Orient's year – they will never be better equipped for the challenge.
It will be difficult, it will be testing but nothing worth having comes easily – all those who become part of the Orient family are all too aware of that.
Quite what Leslie makes of it all I'm not sure. We've not spoken since he imparted his wisdom upon me.
But if this is the beginning of something as he suggested, then I hope it's something special... and I hope Leslie starts his second century with an Orient-themed celebration come next May.
A great write up - thanks to James for sticking with the Os after all the abuse he received.
ReplyDeleteI am keen to know what has happened to Matt Porter, it might make an interesting interview to speak to him after a couple of weeks, the difference in attending matches as a director not Chief Executive must be a bit less stressful!
Is there a mistake at the beginning of the blog - possibly Leslie was temporarily muddled - Os have had several home grounds in his lifetime - surely the 0-8 reverse was at Millfields?
Which means it’s of no great surprise who the sheer number of naff cartier replica uk chosen across the world day after day might be incredibly big. The latest learn states who in any time, to the extent that some trillion purses are actually received all over the world. This unique could result in reasonable landfill not to mention pollution. Had been purses end up in some landfill, but. Numerous provide streams, sewers perhaps even sea. Many discourage streams not to mention drainages not to mention design further pollution factors. In your oceanic masses, naff purses louis vuitton replica handbags not to mention mislead turtles and various other marine canines who take these products for the reason that food stuff. Numerous marine biologists consider that naff purses think that jellyfish, a particular appetizer, to a few marine your life. Such purses will move far towards the doldrums, whereby you will find many rolex replica sale junky builds which enable it to design latest the water pollution situations in the future. Naff purses are actually thinner not to mention light source which translates to mean they've been comfortably had by your end. They've been comfortably lost near and reveal busted concerning foliage, omega replica gardening purposes not to mention parking facilties. But not just might be this unique hideous nevertheless it really are able to ruin smallish canines along the lines of insects not to mention creatures. Naff purses feel healthy an adequate amount of a strong parent person only to find they are able to suffocate unsuspicious canines perhaps even small children. Are able to naff purses turn out to be omega replica not to mention got rid of in which? It’s potential absolutely, and yet improper due to its techniques unwanted gas which were imparted using this method.
ReplyDeleteEnd of the year end of the year, Russia and the West Christian Louboutin Bois Dore against military, political and economic areas growing, Cheap LV Handbags in ugg this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally chaired Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags an enlarged uggs outlet meeting of the ministries of Defense, working for the Russians this year were summarized and presented next year tasks. Putin emphasized ugg australia the cheap christian louboutin priority development of Russia's nuclear strategic forces at the meeting. Russian experts believe that this shows wholesale jordan shoes that Christian Louboutin Daffodile Russia has to do Discount Louis Vuitton with the West to launch a new round of "Cold War" ugg pas cher preparation.Russia's "view report" 20 reported that 19 Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month, the National Defense command center Bags Louis Vuitton was put into combat duty with the Russian Federal Security Council members and defense officials held a meeting, national defense christian louboutin shoes doctrine cheap jordans and new defense capabilities to improve Discount LV Handbags issues were discussed. Before the meeting, Putin ugg soldes visited the national defense discount christian louboutin command center, and heard christian louboutin remise 50% Mikhail meter Jin, director uggs on sale of the center discount nike jordans Zaitsev christian louboutin report. M Tianjin Zaitsev noted cheap nike jordan shoes that the data processing capabilities of the center than 2 ugg boots times the Pentagon similar systems, data storage capacity 18 Air Jordan 11 Gamma Blue times higher than the latter.
ReplyDeleteshijun 3.19
ReplyDeleteinstyler ionic styler
true religion jeans
pandora jewelry
oakley outlet
tods shoes
kate spade
michael kors uk
new balance 574
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
abercrombie outlet
ray ban
karen millen sale
abercrombie
pandora jewelry
hollister shirts
louis vuitton handbags
cheap snapbacks
louis vuitton outlet
ray-ban sunglasses
hollister clothing
hollister clothing
coach outlet online
longchamp outlet
kate spade uk
ray ban outlet
michael kors outlet online
kate spade handbags
michael kors handbags
m a c cosmetics
mac makeup
tiffany and co jewelry
swarovski outlet
replica watches
christian louboutin shoes
kate spade outlet
fitflop shoes
oakley sunglasses
tod's shoes
mulberry outlet
ReplyDeleteair max 2014
michael kors uk
dallas cowboys jersey
miami dolphins jerseys
air jordan shoes
new york knicks jersey
air max 90
manchester united jersey
juicy couture outlet
cheap soccer jerseys
kate spade outlet
cheap wedding dresses
mbt shoes
seattle seahawks jerseys
mulberry uk
san antonio spurs jerseys
chanel handbags
indianapolis colts jerseys
nike trainers
bottega veneta outlet
miami heat jersey
ugg uk
burberry outlet
christian louboutin uk
new york giants jerseys
minnesota vikings jerseys
nike free uk
nike free
coach outlet
canada goose outlet
vans shoes
beats headphones
soccer shoes
hermes belt
the north face outlet
nike huarache
true religion jeans
barcelona jersey
north face outlet
a chang 0616
cheap ray bans
ReplyDeleteabercrombie
michael kors outlet
true religion
hollister
louis vuitton outlet
jordan 11
coach outlet
oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
abercrombie
oakley vault
ray ban sunglasses
coach factorty outlet
burberry outlet
tod's shoes
oakley sunglasses wholesale
burberry scarf
christian louboutin
abercrombie store
michael kors outlet
ray ban glasses
caoch outlet
true religion
louis vuitton
louis vuitton handbags
chanel outlet
nfl jerseys
louis vuitton
lebron james basketball shoes
ralph lauren outlet
chanel handbags
louis vuitton handbags
abercrombie
kobe bryant shoes
coach factory outlet
gucci outlet
christian louboutin outlet
louis vuitton
coach factory outlet
caihuanglin20150623
تختلف انواع المنظفات وطرق استعمالها وايضا اسباب استعمالها فتوجد انواع من المنظفات الخاصه بتنظيف الموكيت والسجاد والتي تستعمل في تنظيف موكيت المساجد ايضا
ReplyDeleteونحن نستعمل افضل المنظفات لدينا في
شركة تنظيف مساجد بالرياض وباحدث الاجهزه لنحصل علي افضل نتيجه ممكنه باسرع وبافضل نتيجه لنكون رائدون في مجال تنظيف المساجد بالاخص وتنظيف الموكيت بصفه عامه
20160623meiqing
ReplyDeletechristian louboutin shoes
coach outlet
toms outlet
cheap jordans
polo ralph lauren
michael kors outlet
pandora jewelry
converse trainers
nike free flyknit
nike free flyknit
hugo boss outlet
coach factory outlet
reebok uk
birkenstock sandals
fitflops
louis vuitton handbags
burberry outlet
timberland outlet
ugg boots
pandora outlet
ray ban outlet
under armour shoes
nike air max
coach outlet online
air max 2016
coach factory outlet
ed hardy outlet
ray ban outlet
louis vuitton factory outlet
tiffany jewelry
tiffany and co
louis vuitton pas cher
michael kors outlet
true religion outlet
adidas nmd
ray bans
christian louboutin
"ralph lauren outlet"
ReplyDelete"nike air max"
"mulberry handbags"
"swarovski crystal"
"toms outlet"
"jordan shoes"
"louis vuitton outlet store"
"mulberry bags"
"mulberry handbags"
"mulberry handbags"
"true religion jeans"
"ralph lauren uk"
"adidas outlet"
"coach outlet"
"ralph lauren"
"true religion jeans"
"football shirts"
"michael kors handbags clearance"
"swarovski outlet"
"tiffany and co jewelry"
"ray ban sunglasses"
"christian louboutin outlet"
"coach outlet"
"nike outlet"
"nike free 5"
"rolex watches"
"vans outlet"
"michael kors factory outlet"
"true religion outlet"
"coach outlet online"
"nike air max 90"
"michael kors handbags wholesale"
"louis vuitton sunglasses"
"cartier watches"
"christian louboutin shoes"
16.7.15qqqqqing
michael kors outlet
ReplyDeletemichael kors handbags
jordans for cheap
nfl jerseys
nike polo
michael kors outlet online
http://www.kobebasketballshoes.us.com
coach outlet online
adidas stan smith sneakers
tiffany and co outlet online
michael kors purses
basketball shoes,cheap basketball shoes,nike basketball shoes,cheap jordan basketball shoes
nike huarache
jordan retro
michael kors outlet online
nike zoom kobe
michael kors outlet store
http://www.jordansforcheap.us.com
ray ban sunglasses outlet
toms outlet store
http://www.michaeljordanshoes.us.com
cheap ralph lauren
tiffany and co
kobe shoes
true religion sale
gg
2016-07-16keyun
ReplyDeletecheap oakley sunglasses
celine bags
supra shoes
michael kors
retro 11
jordan concords
vans outlet
ray ban sunglasses uk
pandora charms
adidas superstar shoes
gucci handbags
oakley outlet
louis vuitton handbags
coach factory outlet
jordan 3s
rolex watches
louis vuitton handbags
toms wedges
oakley vault
louis vuitton outlet stores
nike air force 1 shoes
kate spade handbags
designer handbags
oakley sunglasses wholesale
red bottom shoes
coach outlet store online
ghd flat iron
supra footwear
nike store
ray bans
jordan 11
michael kors purses
nfl jerseys
coach factory outlet online
tods sale
cheap oakleys
michael kors outlet online
nike free 5.0
louis vuitton bags
oakley store online
ReplyDeletetiffany and co outlet
yeezy boost 350
chrome hearts
lacoste polo shirts
nfl jerseys
christian louboutin outlet
nike huarache
nfl jerseys from china
roshe run
شركة تنظيف بالرياض
ReplyDeleteشركة نظافة بالرياض
شركات تنظيف بالرياض
شركات نظافة بالرياض
شركة تنظيف منازل بالرياض
شركة نظافة منازل بالرياض
شركات تنظيف منازل بالرياض
شركة تنظيف شقق بالرياض
شركة نظافة شقق بالرياض
شركات تنظيف شقق بالرياض
شركة تنظيف خزانات بالرياض
شركات تنظيف خزانات بالرياض
شركة نظافة خزانات بالرياض
شركات نظافة خزانات بالرياض
شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض
شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
reebok shoeslinky
ReplyDeletenike roshe runI
michael kors handbagshere
nike huarache trainersis
michael kors handbags outletsilly
mlb jerseysfree
dolce and gabbana outletthis
pandora jewelryHow
michael korsthe
michael kors handbagsworking
oakley sunglasses
ReplyDeleteskechers outlet
hermes belt
gucci outlet
oakley sunglasses
hermes belts
ralph lauren pas cher
new orleans saints jerseys
nike roshe run
mont blanc pens outlet
قم الآن بالتواصل مع افضل شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالدمام و بالسعودية حتى تتمكن من الحصول على جميع الخدمات التي تحتاجها في اسرع وقت
ReplyDeleteافضل تقنيات صيانة يونيون اير في جميع انحاء جمهورية مصر العربية والعالم العربي من خلالنا فقط حيث لدينا اقوي خدمات الصيانة والتصليحات التي تقدم لكم اقوي خدمات تركيب قطع الغيار علي اعلي مستوي وبأفضل الاسعار في مجال صيانة تكييفات يونيون اير بمصر.
ReplyDelete